Structural elements and assemblies for construction material packaging

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is stack support assembly. The stack support assembly includes at least one binding element to press and bind at least one support leg to a material stack; and at least one elongated and partially hollow support leg composed of a shaped polymer. The elongated and partially hollow support leg includes vertically oriented side walls connected to one another with a repeating pattern of interconnect structures, thereby forming hollowed channels extending between a top plane and a bottom plane of the support leg.

RELATED APPLICATION/S

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.15/900,815 filed on Feb. 21, 2018 which claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/461,811, filed Feb. 22, 2017. The contents of the above applicationsare all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in theirentirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of packaging. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to structural elements andassemblies for construction material packaging, optionally by anautomatic or semi-automatic packaging machine for boards, panels,platters and/or sheets.

Construction and building materials such as sheetrock, plasterboardand/or gypsum boards, although lighter than traditional constructionmaterials such as brick, mortar, stone and concrete, these constructionmaterials still impose a considerable transportation and storage burdenbetween the factory and the construction sites where they are used.These construction materials, when packaged into large stacks orbundles, can weigh several tons and need to be kept dry duringtransportation and storage. Additionally, due to the already heavyweight contributed by the construction material itself, packaging weightneeds to be kept down to a minimum while providing a very highload-bearing capacity and moisture resistance. These constructionmaterials, are often packaged into stacks or bundles by use of automaticor semi-automatic wrapping machines.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field of construction materialpackaging, mobilization and transportation for structural elements andassemblies having improved load-bearing capacity and/or moistureresistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes structural elements and assemblies forconstruction material packaging. According to embodiments of the presentinvention, there may be provided a composite load-bearing element forconstruction material, such as, but not limited to: sheetrock,plasterboard, wood, corrugated boards and/or plastics boards, whichcomposite element may be in the form of a leg or bar and may besubstantially hollow. According to embodiments, there may be provided aconstruction material packaging support leg or bar with two side wallsconnected to one another by a series of crossing structural supports,perpendicular, diagonal and/or tangential to the side walls.

The load-bearing element may, in accordance with some embodiments, beelongated and partially hollow and may be composed of a shaped polymer.The elongated load-bearing element may include substantially verticallyoriented side walls connected to one another with a repeating pattern ofinterconnect structures or walls, thereby forming hollowedchannels/spaces/cavities extending between a top plane and a bottomplane of load-bearing element.

According to some embodiments, the elongated load-bearing element mayinclude: a substantially horizontally oriented bottom/base/floor surfacestretching over the area of its bottom plane; a substantiallyhorizontally oriented top/roof surface stretching over the area of itstop plane; and/or both. The bottom surface may be connected:substantially perpendicularly to the bottom edge of each of the sidewalls; to the bottom edge of each of two edge walls of the elongatedload-bearing element; and/or substantially perpendicularly to the bottomedges of at least some of the interconnect structures or walls. The topsurface may be connected: substantially perpendicularly to the top edgeof each of the side walls, to the top edge of each of the edge wallsand/or substantially perpendicularly to the top edges of at least someof the interconnect structures or walls.

According to some embodiments, the elongated load-bearing element edgewalls, may be located at each of the tips of its elongated shape,wherein the edge walls interconnect between the side walls and at leastone of the planes (e.g. the bottom plane) of the load-bearing element.The edge walls of the elongated load-bearing element may each be:substantially perpendicularly oriented in relation to the top plane andthe bottom plane of the load-bearing element; diagonally-oriented/slopedin relation to the top plane and the bottom plane; and/or partiallyvertically oriented and partially diagonally-oriented/sloped. The edgewalls may be substantially perpendicularly oriented in relation to theside walls of the elongated load-bearing element.

According to some embodiments, several load-bearing elements or legs maybe interconnected with each other, for example by one or more bindingelements pressing and binding each of the support legs to theirsupported stack, while optionally also binding the stacked objects toeach other, to collectively form a stack load-bearing/support assembly.According to some embodiments, the binding elements may, for example,take the form of: (a) plastic or metal straps; (b) ropes; (c) wires orcables; and/or (d) a shrinkable/stretchable/adhesive plastic/nylon/papersheet or strap(s) thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg), in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1B shows a bottom perspective view of the exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg) of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1C shows a top perspective view of an exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg), including intermittently covered (roofed) anduncovered (unroofed) sections, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1D shows a bottom perspective view of the exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg) of FIG. 1C, including intermittently base having(floored) and non-based (unfloored) sections, wherein sections shown asbase having (floored) are uncovered (unroofed) and sections shown asnon-based (unfloored) are covered (roofed), in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1E shows a top perspective view of the exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg) of FIG. 1A, including additional supportstructures, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1F shows a cross-section view along the exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg) of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 1G shows a side view of the exemplary load-bearing element (supportleg) of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1H shows a bottom view of the exemplary load-bearing element(support leg) of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention; FIG. 1I shows a front view of the exemplaryload-bearing element (support leg) of FIG. 1A in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a front view of a set of three supported stacks of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a side view of a set of three supported stacks of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3A shows a front view of a stack of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets, wherein the stack is supported by a setof five exemplary load-bearing elements/legs and binded by straps, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows a front view of a stack of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets, wherein the stack is supported by a setof five exemplary load-bearing elements/legs and binded by stretchableplastic, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a tip of an exemplary load-bearingelement, wherein the tip includes a load-bearing element bindingstrap/rope/wire groove, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a tip of an exemplary load-bearingelement, wherein the tip includes a load-bearing element bindingstrap/rope/wire channel, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of three exemplary load-bearingelements or legs to be interconnected with each other, by threeexemplary cross leg structures, to form a package load-bearing assembly,in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of three exemplary load-bearingelements or legs interconnected with each other, by three exemplarycross leg structures, to form a package load-bearing assembly, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main steps executed as part of aprocess for construction, or other, material packaging, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments.However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the artthat some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, unitsand/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscurethe discussion.

Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses forperforming the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise a generalpurpose apparatus selectively applicable or configurable for the desiredpurposes.

The processes and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular apparatus, element, component, or assembly. Variousgeneral purpose embodiments may be used with in accordance with theteachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a morespecialized embodiment to perform the desired method. The desiredstructure for a variety of these embodiments will appear from thedescription below. In addition, embodiments of the present invention arenot described with reference to any particular packaged items orobjects. It will be appreciated that a variety of items or objects maybe packaged by implementing the teachings of the invention as describedherein.

Throughout the specification, discussions utilizing terms such as “Leg”,“Support Leg”, “Support Element”, “Load-bearing Element”, or the like,may refer to any form of a supporting component used for supportingconstruction, or other, materials and/or stacks thereof, as part oftheir packaging. Furthermore, discussions utilizing terms such as“Binding Element”, “Binder”, “Binding Sheet”, or the like, may refer toany form of a tying component used for fastening or securing one or moresupport legs to construction materials and/or stacks thereof, as part oftheir packaging.

Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein withreference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may beutilized in combination with, any one or more other functions,operations, components and/or features described herein with referenceto one or more other embodiments.

The present invention includes structural elements and assemblies forconstruction material packaging. According to embodiments of the presentinvention, there may be provided a composite load-bearing element forconstruction material, such as sheetrock and plasterboard, whichcomposite element may be in the form of a leg or bar and may besubstantially hollow. According to embodiments, there may be provided aconstruction material packaging support leg or bar with two side wallsconnected to one another by a series of crossing structural supports,perpendicular, diagonal and/or tangential to the side walls.

The load-bearing element may, in accordance with some embodiments, beelongated and partially hollow and may be composed of a shaped polymer.The elongated load-bearing element may include substantially verticallyoriented side walls connected to one another with a repeating pattern ofinterconnect structures or walls, thereby forming hollowedchannels/spaces/cavities extending between a top plane and a bottomplane of load-bearing element.

According to some embodiments, the elongated load-bearing element mayinclude: a substantially horizontally oriented bottom/base/floor surfacestretching over the area of its bottom plane; a substantiallyhorizontally oriented top/roof surface stretching over the area of itstop plane; and/or both. The bottom surface may be connected:substantially perpendicularly to the bottom edge of each of the sidewalls; to the bottom edge of each of two edge walls of the elongatedload-bearing element; and/or substantially perpendicularly to the bottomedges of at least some of the interconnect structures or walls. The topsurface may be connected: substantially perpendicularly to the top edgeof each of the side walls, to the top edge of each of the edge wallsand/or substantially perpendicularly to the top edges of at least someof the interconnect structures or walls.

According to some embodiments, the elongated load-bearing element edgewalls, may be located at each of the tips of its elongated shape,wherein the edge walls interconnect between the side walls and at leastone of the planes (e.g. the bottom plane) of the load-bearing element.The edge walls of the elongated load-bearing element may each be:substantially perpendicularly oriented in relation to the top plane andthe bottom plane of the load-bearing element; diagonally-oriented/slopedin relation to the top plane and the bottom plane; and/or partiallyvertically oriented and partially diagonally-oriented/sloped. The edgewalls may be substantially perpendicularly oriented in relation to theside walls of the elongated load-bearing element.

According to some embodiments, one or more additional interconnectstructures or walls may be positioned close to, or at the proximity of,the edges of the elongated load-bearing element; and may thus create aload-bearing element having a higher density of structures or walls atthe edges of the load-bearing element, in relation to the density ofstructures or walls at its side/edges.

According to some embodiments, a load-bearing element may comprise anapplication machine hole/opening for enabling a stack packaging machinecomponent to at least partially enter/penetrate into andgrab/grasp/retain load-bearing elements, pulling/pushing and positioningthem at the bottom of a construction material stack being packaged. Theapplication machine hole/opening may be positioned at, or at theproximity of, the central/middle section of the load-bearing element,optionally at its lower/bottom area.

According to some embodiments, the top plane of a load-bearing elementmay include roofed/covered sections and unroofed/uncovered sections.According to some embodiments, the bottom plane of a load-bearingelement may include based-having/floored sections andnon-based/unfloored sections. According to some embodiments, the topplane of a load-bearing element may include intermittentlyroofed/covered sections and unroofed/uncovered sections. According tosome embodiments, the bottom plane of a load-bearing element may includeintermittently base-having/floored sections and non-based/unflooredsections. According to some embodiments, the bottom plane of aload-bearing element may include intermittently base-having/flooredsections and non-based/unfloored sections, wherein base-having/flooredsections are unroofed/uncovered and non-based/unfloored sections areroofed/covered.

According to some embodiments, a load-bearing element may include anycombination of support structures/walls, oriented perpendicularly,diagonally and/or tangentially relative to the side walls of theload-bearing element.

In FIG. 1A there is shown a top perspective view of an exemplaryload-bearing element (support leg). The shown load-bearing elementincludes two side walls connected to each other by the interconnectstructures or walls, the edge walls and the bottom/base/floor surface.The interconnect structures or walls, create between: themselves, theedge walls and/or the side walls - triangular and trapezoid hollowedchannels/spaces/cavities - running from the top plane of theload-bearing element to its bottom plane base/floor surface. Theload-bearing element is shown to include additional interconnect wallsaround its tips in proximity to the edge walls.

In FIG. 1B there is shown a bottom perspective view of the exemplaryload-bearing element (support leg) of FIG. 1A. The bottom/base/floorsurface of the load-bearing element is shown and the side wall connectedthereto. Further shown are an application machine hole/opening and oneof the edge walls shown to include a vertical part and a diagonal/slopedpart.

In FIG. 1C there is shown a top perspective view of an exemplaryload-bearing element (support leg), including intermittently covered(roofed) and uncovered (unroofed) sections, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

In FIG. 1D there is shown a bottom perspective view of the exemplaryload-bearing element (support leg) of FIG. 1C, including intermittentlybase having (floored) and non-based (unfloored) sections, whereinsections shown as base having (floored) are uncovered (unroofed) andsections shown as non-based (unfloored) are covered (roofed), inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

In FIG. 1E there is shown a top perspective view of the exemplaryload-bearing element (support leg) of FIG. 1A, wherein the shownload-bearing element includes additional interconnect structures orwalls. The additional interconnect structures or walls are perpendicularto the side walls and run across the meeting points of the diagonalinterconnect structures or walls shown.

In FIG. 1F there is shown a cross-section view along the exemplaryload-bearing element (support leg) of FIG. 1A.

In FIG. 1G there is shown a side view of the exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg) of FIG. 1A.

In FIG. 1H there is shown a bottom view of the exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg) of FIG. 1A.

In FIG. 1I there is shown a front view of the exemplary load-bearingelement (support leg) of FIG. 1A.

According to some embodiments, several load-bearing elements or legs maybe arranged and collectively utilized to support a stack, or a packagedstack, of: (a) sheetrock; (b) drywall; (c) plasterboard; and/or (d) anyother substantially flat boards, panels, platters and/or sheets.

In FIG. 2A there is shown a front view of a set of three stacks of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets, wherein each stack is supported by acorresponding set of five exemplary load-bearing elements/legs.

In FIG. 2B there is shown a side view of a set of three stacks of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets, wherein each stack is supported by acorresponding set of exemplary load-bearing elements/legs.

According to some embodiments, several load-bearing elements or legs maybe interconnected with each other, for example by one or more bindingelements pressing and binding each of the support legs to theirsupported stack, while optionally also binding the stacked objects toeach other, to collectively form a stack load-bearing/support assembly.According to some embodiments, the binding elements may, for example,take the form of: (a) plastic or metal straps; (b) ropes; (c) wires orcables; and/or (d) a shrinkable/stretchable/adhesive plastic/nylon/papersheet or strap(s) thereof.

In FIG. 3A there is shown a front view of a stack of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets, wherein the stack is supported by a setof five exemplary load-bearing elements/legs and wherein each of thefive load-bearing elements/legs is connected to the stack by arespective exemplary binding strap.

In FIG. 3B there is shown a front view of a stack of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets, wherein the stack is supported by a setof five exemplary load-bearing elements/legs and wherein the fiveload-bearing elements/legs are collectively connected to the stack by anexemplary binding sticky/stretchable/wrapping plastic sheet.

A load-bearing element, in accordance with some embodiments, maycomprise a strap groove or a strap channel for accepting and/orretaining a strap/rope/wire type binding element. The groove or channelmay be located at, or substantially at, the bottom of, the two edgewalls of the load-bearing element, optionally extending into itsbottom/base/floor surface/plane. According to some embodiments, thestrap groove may take the form of a channel, running from one edge wallof the load-bearing element, along its bottom/base/floor surface/plane,to its other (i.e. opposite side) edge wall.

In FIG. 4A there is shown a perspective view of a tip of an exemplaryload-bearing element, wherein the tip includes a load-bearing elementbinding strap/rope/wire groove. The groove includes an opening in thesloped part of the edge wall, connected to an opening on the edge of thefloor of the load-bearing element. The load-bearing element may includea similar groove at its opposite tip.

In FIG. 4B there is shown a perspective view of a tip of an exemplaryload-bearing element, wherein the tip includes a load-bearing elementbinding strap/rope/wire channel. The channel includes an opening in thesloped part of the edge wall, connected to a channel running along thefloor of the load-bearing element. The channel may run along the floorconnecting to a similar opening in the sloped part of the edge wall atthe opposite tip of the exemplary load-bearing element.

According to some embodiments, several load-bearing elements or legs maybe interconnected with each other, for example by cross leg structures,to form a package load-bearing assembly. According to some embodiments,the cross leg structures may include one or more insertion elements eachof which is adapted to detachably fit into at least onechannel/space/cavity - formed between the two side walls and the seriesof crossing structural supports - of each of the load-bearing elementsor legs crossed thereby. Two or more load-bearing elements or legs andtwo or more cross leg structures fitted into spaces/cavities thereof,may thus collectively form a package load-bearing assembly in the formof a support platform or surface. The package load-bearing assembly maybe disassembled to its initial load-bearing elements or legs and crossleg structures components, by detaching/disconnecting the cross legstructures and/or insertion elements thereof from their hostingspaces/cavities within the load-bearing elements or legs.

According to some embodiments, a package load-bearing assembly mayfurther include a top surface that may be positioned over and supportedby its cross leg structures and optionally also supported by itsload-bearing elements or legs. The resulting package load-bearingassembly may allow for the loading of any building materials, goods,equipment, boxes/packages and/or the like, over the top surface of theassembly. The top surface may be produced from any material orcombination of materials such as, but not limited to: paper, cardboard,wood, plastic, polymer, metal, composite material(s) and/or the like.

In FIG. 5A there is shown a perspective view of three exemplaryload-bearing elements or legs to be interconnected with each other, bythree exemplary cross leg structures, to form a package load-bearingassembly. In the FIG., the package load-bearing assembly is shown in apre-connection state, wherein insertion elements of each of the crossleg structures are shown to be aligned with (by shown broken lines) anddirected towards corresponding/matching hollowedchannels/spaces/cavities in the shown load-bearing elements.

In FIG. 5B there is shown a perspective view of three exemplaryload-bearing elements or legs interconnected with each other, by threeexemplary cross leg structures, to form a package load-bearing assembly.In the figure, the package load-bearing assembly is shown in a connectedstate, wherein insertion elements of each of the cross leg structuresare shown to be inserted into and retained by theircorresponding/matching hollowed channels/spaces/cavities in the shownload-bearing elements.

According to some embodiments, techniques similar to those shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B and described herein, may be utilized for the connectionof any number of multiple (e.g. 2 or more) load-bearing elements to anynumber of multiple (e.g. 2 or more) cross leg structures - to form apackage load-bearing assembly.

According to some embodiments, the load-bearing element may be producedof any material, or combination of materials, selected from the groupconsisting of: (a) EVOH - Ethylene vinyl alcohol; (b) ABS -Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; (c) PMMA - Poly(methyl methacrylate) -Acrylic; (d) PTFE - Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon); (e) PU -Polyurethane; (f) PE - Polyethylene; (g) PEN - Polyethylene naphthalate;(h) PBT - Polybutylene terephthalate; (i) PPO - Polyphenylene Oxide; (j)PP - Polypropylene; (k) PBI - Polybenzimidazole; (1) PVDC -Polyvinylidene chloride; (m) PETG -Polyethylene terephthalate glycol;(n) PCTFE - Polychlorotrifluoroethylene; (o) POM - Polyoxymethylene -Acetal; (p) LCP - Liquid crystal polymers; (q) PA - Polyamide -Nylon;(r) PI - Polyimide; (s) PET - Polyethylene terephthalate; (t) PES -Sulfonated polyether; (u) PS - Polystyrene; (v) PPS - Polyphenylenesulfide; (w) PC -Polycarbonate; (x) PVDF - Polyvinylidene fluoride orpolyvinylidene difluoride; (y) High-density polyethylene; (z1) Linearlow-density polyethylene; and/or (z2) PVC -Polyvinyl chloride.

According to some embodiments, some or all of the material(s) theload-bearing element is produced of may be recycled plastic or anycombination of recycled or partially recycled material(s).

According to some embodiments, the load-bearing element may be producedby any process suitable for the materials listed above, such as, but notlimited to: (a) injection machines; (b) vacuum forming; and/or (c) blowmolding.

According to some embodiments, the load-bearing element, or a set ofload-bearing elements, may be used in different ways and combinations,such as, but not limited to: (a) legs for storage of gypsum boards; (b)legs for storing profiles or wooden panels or tubes; (c) legs combinedwith other plastic parts that make the legs to come apart; (d) legscombined with carton/cardboard that makes it into a plate of transportof goods; (e) in a warehouse to support goods, equipment, high weight;(f) wherein relatively shorter legs elements are used for packingmachines such as washing machines, stoves, or any other heavy product orcomponent wrapped in shrink, stretch, or similar; and/or (g) whereinextra parts for the legs can make the legs reusable, or for multipleuses depending on the type of product attached.

In FIG. 6 there is shown, a flowchart of the main steps executed as partof a process for construction, or other, material packaging, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The shown processincludes the following steps: (a) a number of load-bearing elements -needed for supporting a stack of specific type/number of flatboards/panels/platters/sheets - is selected; (b) a first load-bearingelement is attached/binded to the bottom of the stack of specific flatboards/panels/platters/sheets; (c) an additional load-bearing element isattached/binded to the bottom of the stack of specific flatboards/panels/platters/sheets; (d) if the number of load-bearingelements has not reached the selected number, go back to (c); else, (e)position stack of specific flat boards/panels/platters/sheets on floor(if first stack) or on top of last stack positioned; (f) if furtherstacks for same stacks pile are to be added, go back to (b); else, (g)move to next stacks pile.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plasterboardstack support assembly may comprise at least one elongated and partiallyhollow support leg (also referred to as ‘load-bearing element’ herein)composed of a shaped polymer, wherein the elongated support includesvertically oriented side walls connected to one another with a repeatingpattern of interconnect structures, thereby forming hollowed channelsextending between a top plane and a bottom plane of the support leg.

According to some embodiments, the plasterboard stack support assemblymay further comprise at least one binding element to press and bind atleast one of the support legs to the plasterboard stack.

According to some embodiments, the interconnect structures, of theplasterboard stack support assembly, may run the full height of thewalls from top to bottom plane of the support leg.

According to some embodiments, the walls and the interconnectstructures, of the plasterboard stack support assembly, may both performcompressive load bearing of the supported plasterboard stack.

According to some embodiments, the repeating pattern of interconnectstructures, of the plasterboard stack support assembly, may includeelements oriented perpendicularly relative to the walls.

According to some embodiments, the repeating pattern of interconnectstructures, of the plasterboard stack support assembly, may includeelements oriented diagonally relative to the walls.

According to some embodiments, the repeating pattern of interconnectstructures, of the plasterboard stack support assembly, may includeelements oriented tangentially relative to the walls.

According to some embodiments, the binding element(s) may be astretchable plastic/nylon sheet(s)/sleeve(s) and/or one or morestrap(s).

According to some embodiments, the plasterboard stack support assemblymay further comprise binding strap grooves at the tips of each of theelongated support legs, wherein the binding strap grooves of a givenelongated support leg are adapted to accept and retain in its position arespective strap binding element.

According to some embodiments, the plasterboard stack support assemblymay further comprise binding strap channel at the bottom of theelongated support legs, wherein the binding strap channel of a givenelongated support leg is adapted to accept and retain in its position arespective strap binding element.

According to some embodiments, the thickness of at least the side wallsand the interconnect structures, of the plasterboard stack supportassembly, may be between 1 and 2 millimeters, for example, approximately1.5 millimeters.

According to some embodiments, the weight of one of the elongated andpartially hollow support legs, of the plasterboard stack supportassembly, may be between 400 and 600 grams, for example, approximately500 grams.

According to some embodiments, the plasterboard stack support assemblymay further comprise edge walls at the tips of each of the elongated andpartially hollow support legs. According to some embodiments, each ofthe edge walls may comprise a vertical part and a sloped part. Accordingto some embodiments, each of the sloped parts may create an angle ofless than 45 degrees, for example approximately 32 degrees, with the topplane of its respective support leg.

According to some embodiments, the sloped parts of the edge walls maycover less than 50 percent of the total vertical height of the edgewalls and the vertical parts of the edge walls may cover more than 50percent of the total vertical height of the edge walls.

According to some embodiments, the plasterboard stack support assemblymay further comprise two or more cross leg structures, each of whichincludes one or more insertion elements adapted to detachably fit intoat least one of the hollowed channels extending between the top planeand the bottom plane of the support legs - of each of two or moresupport legs crossed by the cross leg structures, wherein two or more ofthe support legs and two or more of the cross leg structures fitted intohollowed channels thereof, collectively form a package load-bearingassembly in the form of a support platform or surface.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a system forflat material stack supporting may comprise: two or more sets, eachincluding at least one elongated and partially hollow support legcomposed of a shaped polymer, wherein the elongated support legs includevertically oriented side walls connected to one another with a repeatingpattern of interconnect structures, thereby forming hollowed channelsextending between a top plane and a bottom plane of the support leg; atleast one binding element to press and bind at least one of the supportlegs to the material stack; wherein elongated and partially hollowsupport legs found within different sets of the two or more sets, are ofa different size or size range and are differently designated, forexample by a visible sign/marking and/or by their color.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method forflat material stack supporting may include: selecting a number ofload-bearing elements -needed for supporting a stack of specifictype/number of flat boards/panels/platters/sheets; binding a firstload-bearing element to the bottom of the stack; binding additionalload-bearing elements to the bottom of the stack until the selectednumber load-bearing elements is reached; positioning the stack on thefloor, if a first stack, or on top of the last stack positioned;repeating until a predetermined number of stacks are piled over eachother; and repeating for piling of remaining stacks.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be constructed as limiting. While certain featuresof the invention have been illustrated and described herein, manymodifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur tothose skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the invention.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated in their entirety by referenceinto the specification, to the same extent as if each individualpublication, patent or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Inaddition, citation or identification of any reference in thisapplication shall not be construed as an admission that such referenceis available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent thatsection headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarilylimiting. In addition, any priority document(s) of this applicationis/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety.

It is the intent of the Applicant(s) that all publications, patents andpatent applications referred to in this specification are to beincorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, asif each individual publication, patent or patent application wasspecifically and individually noted when referenced that it is to beincorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation oridentification of any reference in this application shall not beconstrued as an admission that such reference is available as prior artto the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used,they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. In addition, anypriority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its/their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plasterboard stack support assembly comprising:at least one elongated and partially hollow support leg composed of ashaped polymer, wherein said elongated support includes verticallyoriented side walls connected to one another with a repeating pattern ofinterconnect structures, thereby forming hollowed channels extendingbetween a top plane and a bottom plane of said support leg.